Rachel Evans
The Catholic Church follows a liturgical calendar that determines the readings and prayers for each day. This calendar is based on a three-year cycle, with each year focusing on a different set of Gospel readings. The liturgical year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, which falls between November 27 and December 3. In 2023, the Catholic Church is in Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year I. This means that the Gospel readings on Sundays will be from Matthew, and the weekday readings will be from Years I and II, which include a mix of Gospel texts. The cycle of readings ensures that Catholics are exposed to a variety of Scripture over a three-year period, allowing for a comprehensive engagement with the Bible.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lectionary Year in 2023 | Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year I |
| Lectionary Year in 2024 | Sunday Cycle B and Weekday Year II |
| Lectionary Year in 2025 | Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year I |
| Lectionary Year in 2026 | Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year II |
| Lectionary Year in 2027 | Sunday Cycle B and Weekday Year I |
| Lectionary Year in 2028 | Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year II |
| First Sunday of Advent 2023 | Year B |
| First Sunday of Advent 2024 | Year C |
| First Sunday of Advent 2025 | Year A |
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What You'll Learn
The Sunday Lectionary is a three-year cycle
The Sunday Lectionary is a three-year cyclical lectionary. A lectionary is a collection of scripture readings appointed for Christian or Jewish worship on a given day or occasion. The Sunday Lectionary is organized into three-year cycles of readings, designated as Year A, Year B, and Year C. Each yearly cycle begins on the first Sunday of Advent, which falls on the Sunday between November 27 and December 3. The cycle follows the order of Year A, Year B, Year C, and then back to Year A. The readings for each year are chosen appropriately for the season, with the Gospel of John being read during Christmas, Lent, and Easter.
The year of the cycle does not change on January 1st but on the first Sunday of Advent, which is considered the beginning of the liturgical year. For example, the liturgical year 2021 began on November 29, 2020, and ended on November 27, 2021. The Bible translation used for the Sunday Lectionary is The New Revised Standard Version, with readings emended to provide context and clarity for public reading. The collects and the Psalms are taken from the Book of Common Prayer, with contemporary wording for the collects.
The liturgical color appropriate for the day is indicated by the color of the numeral against a specific background color. For instance, when the liturgical color is green, red, or purple, the numeral is displayed against a light grey background. Conversely, when the liturgical color is white, the numeral appears in black against a white background. The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) is a three-year cycle of daily scripture readings that follows and complements the RCL Sunday lections. The readings from Thursday to Saturday prepare for the Sunday lessons, while the readings from Monday to Wednesday reflect on the previous Sunday's lessons.
The Roman Catholic Mass Lectionary, as revised after Vatican II, serves as the basis for many Protestant lectionaries, including the Revised Common Lectionary and its derivatives. The Mass Lectionary organizes the readings for worship services on Sundays in a three-year cycle, with four elements on each Sunday. These elements typically include a first reading from the Old Testament, a responsorial psalm, a second reading from the New Testament Letters, and a gospel reading. Additionally, the Roman Catholic lectionary incorporates a two-year cycle for the weekday mass readings, referred to as Cycle I and Cycle II, alternating between odd-numbered and even-numbered years.
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The weekday cycle is divided into two years
The liturgical year is divided into a seasonal cycle and a sanctoral cycle, also known as the Proper of Time and the Proper of Saints, respectively. The Proper of Time encapsulates the Paschal Mystery of Jesus Christ—his suffering, death, and resurrection—which is continuously proclaimed and renewed through celebrating the events of his life and in the feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints. The Proper of Saints, on the other hand, includes celebrations of saints who have universal significance and are thus celebrated by everyone, as well as saints who demonstrate the universality and continuity of sainthood within the People of God.
The liturgical year is further divided into different seasons, each with its own mood, theological emphases, and modes of prayer. These seasons are signified by various traditions, such as different ways of decorating churches, colours of paraments and vestments for clergy, scriptural readings, themes for preaching, and even practices observed personally or in the home. The specific seasons vary slightly between different traditions within the Church. However, in general, the seasons in liturgical western Christianity are Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time after Epiphany), Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time (Time after Pentecost).
The Catholic Church follows a liturgical cycle that divides the year into a series of seasons, with specific scripture passages designated for each Sunday and, in some traditions, every day of the year. This liturgical cycle includes a three-year cycle of readings for Sundays and a two-year cycle for weekdays, with the year of the weekday cycle determining the readings for each day. The weekday cycle is divided into two years, Year I and Year II. Year I is read in odd-numbered years, while Year II is used in even-numbered years. It is important to note that the Gospels for both years are the same.
The Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) is a three-year cycle of daily scripture readings that follows and augments the RCL Sunday lections. It provides scriptural structure for the patterns of the seasons in liturgical western Christianity. The RCL is followed by various Protestant denominations, including Methodists, Anglicans/Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians, some Baptists, and Anabaptists.
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Readings are divided by day or theme
The Catholic lectionary is a collection of readings and responsorial psalms assigned for each Mass of the year, including Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions. The readings are divided by day or theme rather than by Bible books. This means that the readings for a particular day may come from different books of the Bible. For example, the first reading on weekdays may be from either the Old or New Testament.
The lectionary is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C. Each year focuses on a different Gospel: Matthew, Mark, and Luke, respectively. The Gospel of John is read during the Easter season in all three years. The first reading, typically from the Old Testament, reflects important themes from the Gospel reading. The second reading is usually from one of the epistles, a letter written to an early church community.
The weekday cycle is further divided into two years, Year I and Year II. Year I is read in odd-numbered years, while Year II is used in even-numbered years. The Gospels for both years are the same. During special seasons like Advent, Christmas, and Lent, readings are chosen that are appropriate to the season.
In addition to the daily and weekly cycles, the lectionary also provides readings for various special occasions, such as feasts of the saints, common celebrations, ritual Masses (e.g., weddings, baptisms), votive Masses, and other specific needs. These readings are selected to align with the themes of these occasions.
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The Gospels are read semi-continuously
The Catholic Church follows a liturgical calendar that determines the Scripture readings for each day of the year. This collection of Scripture readings is known as the Lectionary, which is arranged in two cycles: one for Sundays and one for weekdays. The Sunday cycle is further divided into three years, labelled A, B, and C, each with its own designated Gospel reading.
In Year A, the Gospel of Matthew is primarily read. Year B focuses on the Gospel of Mark and chapter 6 of the Gospel of John. As for Year C, it is dedicated to the Gospel of Luke. Regardless of the year, the Gospel of John is traditionally read during the Easter season, as well as during Advent, Christmas, and Lent in some traditions. These seasonal readings are chosen to align with the themes and spirit of the respective liturgical seasons.
The current year, 2023, is Year I for the weekday cycle, which is read in odd-numbered years. Year I and Year II of the weekday cycle both follow the same Gospel readings, starting with Mark, then moving on to Matthew, and finally Luke. This semi-continuous reading ensures that Catholics engage with the Gospels in a structured yet comprehensive manner.
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Readings for ritual masses are included in the Lectionary
The Lectionary is a three-year cyclical calendar that provides a structured way of reading the Bible for Catholics. It consists of a collection of scripture readings, organised according to the liturgical year, and is used during Mass. The Lectionary includes readings for ritual masses, which are masses for specific occasions such as baptisms, confirmations, and marriages. These readings are selected to be thematically appropriate for the occasion being celebrated.
The Lectionary for Mass has different editions, including the 1970 USA edition and the 2002 USA edition. The 1970 edition is based on the Ordo Lectionum Missae, the Latin edition from 1969. This edition contains readings for commons, rituals, votives, and masses for various occasions. The commons readings are for celebrations honouring saints, martyrs, pastors, and virgins. The ritual masses readings are for occasions like baptism, confirmation, and marriage. The votive masses readings are for occasions like the Holy Trinity, Sacred Heart, and Precious Blood. The masses for various occasions include readings for the Church, civil needs, and public needs.
The 2002 USA edition of the Lectionary for Mass includes similar categories of readings as the 1970 edition, with some additions and changes. For example, this edition includes a new option for Wedding Masses: Ephesians 4:1-6. It also includes readings for celebrations proper to the Society of Jesus, special masses for the Jubilee Year 2000, and different editions of the Catholic Lectionary for Mass.
The Lectionary follows a three-year cycle of daily scripture readings, with the current year being Year C. This cycle provides a structured way of reading the Bible, ensuring that a variety of scriptures are covered over time. The readings are selected from both the Old Testament and the New Testament, including the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings are available online, providing access to the scripture readings for each day within the three-year cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
The Lectionary is a collection of readings and responsorial psalms assigned for each Mass of the year (Sundays, weekdays, and special occasions).
The Catholic Lectionary year changes every year, but the new "Liturgical Year" begins on the First Sunday of Advent, usually between November 27 and December 3, not on January 1.
The current year, 2023, is Sunday Cycle A and Weekday Year I.
2022 was Sunday Cycle B and Weekday Year II.
2025 will be Sunday Cycle C and Weekday Year I.
